HRA MINUTES 02281984 - Laserfiche WebLink

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!WM Mr. Tushie said two non-profit organizations had indicated an interest in sponsoring the 202 building. Augustana Homes, who had sponsored a similar building for Phase I, which the Mayor had said had failed to obtain 202 funding, partially because of Augustana's lack of 202 experience, had indicated they would like to be reconsidered for the project since they have done 202 work since that time. Walker Homes, who, the architect said, are constructing a large project on 37th and Bryant which would provide health and medical care for the elderly, had also requested to be considered for the senior apartments, and, Mr. Tushie told the H.R.A. members, both agencies understand that they would have to pick up the differences in costs to develop the project with 202 funding and to provide the first class building which would be expected in St. Anthony. The Mayor and Councilmen Ranallo and Marks would be in Washington, D.C. the following week where they would attend the National League of Cities Conference and meet with H.U.D. officials to lobby for the project. Mr. Tushie agreed to provide the newest colored renderings of the Kenzie Terrace Project as well as plans for the proposed senior buildings drawn to meet the criteria set by H.U.D. for that meeting. Mr. Arkell gave Ms. Gammel's background and experience which the developer perceives made her such an asset for marketing the Kenzie Terrace Project. She indicated the "300 walk-throughs" reported by • Mr. Arkell for the open house weekend for the model tiad actually been "300 buying entities" and that the interest momentum had been retained ever since. By listening very carefully to the prospective buyers, the Marketing Director indicated the redevelopers had been able to convert those buyers' desires into a redesigning of one end of the building into 12 one bedroom -den units which would provide easier adjustment and more elbow room than one -bedroom units would for the first-time condominium buyers who are making a difficult move from larger, single family homes. Kenzington is quite unique, Ms. Gammel said, in that there are 22 different unit designs available to the buyers. She affirmed that with the changes, the total number of units in the building had been reduced from 134 to 128. Mr. Tushie indicated Arkell is.close to a trade-in policy which would allow the developers to at least break even, but would, naturally, not be implemented until the construction is started on the project. When H.R.A. members indicated their willingness to help promote sales, Mr. Arkell told them anything they could do to convince prospective buyers that selling their homes and moving into a condominium would be acceptable, would be most helpful. The suggestion that the Community section of the Star might be utilized for that purpose was considered a good one and Pis. Gammel indicated the human interest angle might be developed by using the promotional tapes she had made which feature local buyers of condominium units reinforcing the validity of "making the big move". is Motion by Vice Chairman Enrooth and seconded by Commissioner Ranallo to authorize staff to enter into negotiations with the Arkand Part- nership for a 90 day extension of the redevelopers contract with them. Motion carried unanimously.